Developer- and Publisher-specific Articles: Monolith Productions

A new downloadable pack has launched for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One versions of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, The Bright Lord. The new story add-on allows players to take control of Celebrimbor as he undertakes a 10-mission quest to defeat the Dark Lord. The set also includes a new skin, the option to play as Celebrimbor in the main campaign, Elven Archery abilities, a rapid-fire bow, new Test of the Ring Challenge Mode, higher-level enemies that offer Level 30 Runes, and a boss fight against Sauron.

PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners are now getting their chance to take the fight deep into Mordor. The current-gen versions of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor are now in stores and up for purchase at digital outlets. The open-world action title, set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, puts players in the role of Gondorian Ranger Talion, who is on a quest for revenge. After Sauron kills him and his family, Talion is resurrected by a Wraith Spirit and sets off to battle Sauron’s forces and discover why he was brought back to life. Each enemy Tailon faces will result in a procedurally generated encounter that is said to be unique to each player, with enemies featuring different strengths, appearances, and missions. And as part of their pact with the wraith, players will be able to control the enemies they encounter, forming an army of their own.

Warner Bros. Interactive is sending adventurers back to Mordor today with the release of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. The open-world action title takes place between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and puts players in the role of Talion, a Gondorian Ranger of the Black Gate on a quest for revenge. After Sauron kills him and his family, Talion is resurrected by a Wraith Spirit and sets off to battle Sauron’s forces and discover why he was brought back to life. Each enemy Tailon faces will result in a procedurally generated encounter that is said to be unique to each player, with enemies featuring different strengths, appearances, and missions. And as part of their pact with the wraith, players will be able to control the enemies they encounter, forming an army of their own.

Some new screenshots of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor have been released from its latest showing at gamescom. Two of the four shots mark the game’s debut appearance of everyone’s favorite misunderstood, single-minded miscreant, Gollum. Developer Monolith also released the achievement/trophy list, for those who can’t get enough virtual accolades.

Gamers will be able to once again battle the forces of Mordor on September 30 when Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor launches for 360, PS3, PS4, and Xbox One. PC gamers will get their chance shortly thereafter via Steam on October 2. As the ranger Talion, players will find themselves guided by the Spirit of Vengeance in a war against Sauron and his forces after the death of his family. The game uses a new mechanic dubbed the Nemesis System, which allows the computer to keep track of the player’s action with each enemy so that future encounters play out differently, with an archenemies emerging before the end.

Warner Bros. is expanding the Tolkien universe’s presence in gaming soon with Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor for PC as well as current- and next-gen consoles. In this original tale, players will take on the role of the ranger Talion in a tale of revenge. After Sauron’s forces murder his family, he sets out deep into Mordor after being resurrected by the Spirit of Vengeance to seek justice. Now with the powers of a Wraith, players will guide him through a maze of enemies and friends as he makes allies and battles foes using a third-person combat system. Each enemy will be “a unique individual, differentiated by their personality, strengths and weaknesses,” while the Nemesis System will track the player’s actions and shape relationships based on their decisions to create a dynamic world and story.

Monolith Productions’ multiplayer online battle arena title Guardians of Middle-earth will be available on December 5 for 360. The game will launch digitally on Live Marketplace for 1200 MS Points, and December 4 on PSN for $14.99. Select retail stores will also carry boxed copies for $29.99, available the same day as the online versions, with the increased price being because of included vouchers for post-launch map, gameplay, and character DLC packs.

Warner Bros. Interactive has announced that Monolith Productions’ upcoming strategy title Guardians of Middle-earth will be available this December. The game will launch digitally on December 4 for $14.99 on PSN, and this fall for 1200 MS Points on Live Arcade. The title will also be available at select retail stores for $29.99 on the same dates as their online counterparts, with the price difference being due to boxed copies coming with vouchers to download the post-launch map, gameplay, and character DLC packs.

Another joins the free-to-play ranks today. Warner Bros. has announced that the PC version of Monolith Production’s team-based shooter Gotham City Imposters can now be downloaded for free from Steam. The original game, which features up to a dozen players battling it out over eight Batman-themed maps and four modes, are accessible, as well as all of the new weapons, mascots, and maps that were added via post-launch DLC.